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Unions, ACLU Sue To Block Right-To-Work Law

LANSING (WWJ/AP) – Labor unions and the ACLU of Michigan say the state’s right-to-work law should be struck down because people were locked out of the Capitol when the bills were initially passed.

An amended lawsuit filed Thursday asks an Ingham County judge to invalidate the law because the Open Meetings Act was violated.

Additional people were blocked from coming into the Capitol for more than four hours on Dec. 6 after state police had safety concerns. Thousands of people were protesting outside.

In short, right-to-work laws end requirements that workers pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. Supporters insist it will boost the economy and job creation while opponents say right-to-work drains unions of money and weakens their ability to bargain for good wages and benefits.

The suit doesn’t take issue with the substance of the law. Opponents, for now, instead say the law can’t stand because it was passed in a place that wasn’t open and accessible to the public.

The head of the United Auto Workers Union, Bob King, said he believes right-to-work will eventually be overturned in Michigan, and he believes some lawmakers who pushed for right-to-work will be pushed out of office.

Meantime, Gov. Rick Snyder is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to rule quickly on the constitutionality of the right-to-work law. It’s set to take effect in two months, making Michigan the nation’s 24th right-to-work state. (More here).